The last time I visited, I had just been distracted from my research efforts by a site on numerology, and I ended up not only putting in my name but the titles of all my books. The results were startling, to say the least.

So when Lindsay asked me to write something related to Astraea Press it struck me I should have also put my publisher through the numerology ringer last time. But as I didn’t, today I decided to rectify that omission.

Before I do for those who want to know ‘what is numerology and how does it work?’ ~ Here are a few facts.

It is the study of the symbolism of numbers.

Everything in the universe vibrates at its own particular frequency. By finding the vibration rate of any object, you can establish the qualities and energies associated with it. By applying the principles of numerology — and using only a name and birth date as the basic data — you can determine the major frequencies of a person/name. A numerological analysis of the calculated frequencies provides significant information on personality and character.

The roots of numerology can be traced back some 10,000 years to Egypt and Babylonia. Pythagoras, who developed many of the basic theorems that form the foundation of modern mathematics, is credited with formally organizing the field about 2600 years ago in ancient Greece. At the turn of the 20th century, an American, L. Dow Balliet, along with several contemporaries, initiated the modern phase of numerology. Now, in the 21st century, a marked resurgence of interest in numerology is taking place thanks to an increase in research and publication.

Name: Astraea Press

Name – Meaning

Your name at birth was a set up! (Well, isn’t that the truth!) It set the stage for who you would become and the people and events you would be likely to attract. (Has this guy been peeking at the origins of AP?) It helped to shape your perspective of life, your energy level and your attitudes. It helped to determine your level of self-esteem and your future potential for success or for struggle. Everything is energy in motion. Everything, including you – is like a powerful, broadcasting satellite (do you suppose publishing fits in here?) – emanating distinct, vibrational frequencies that magnetically attract your experiences. (Hmmm does he mean attracting readers here?) What frequency is your name set to?

The Soul Urge number has also been called Heart’s Desire and Spiritual Urge. (Don’t authors aim to provide this for their readers?) It is our secret, innermost longing. Our dream, our motivation, the fuel that energizes our journey. (Hey! Get out of my head!) The Soul Urge number reveals what we secretly strive to be or accomplish. (My word, AP authors, is this right? Or is this right?) Some have said that this number tells us what we have been in previous lifetimes, the accumulated growth of our soul.

Practical and well organized, you desire security above all else. You are loyal and it is important to you that your work provides security for others. You take life very seriously and others know they can rely on you. You desire to build your home, your family and your livelihood on a solid foundation based on hard work and common sense. (Sounds like AP’s goal to me!)

Personality: 30 / 3 (Consonants: STRPRSS) ~ Your Personality – The Impression You Make upon the World

The Personality number describes the way we appear to the outside world, the first impression people have of us. We may not even be aware of how we are perceived by others because we are so often focused on our inner world, and many times the inner does not match the outer. Personality gives us a peek at some hidden talents we have. The talents that we use to get along in the world, and in some instances, protects us from it. It is likened to a bag of tools (jewels) that we carry with us along the way. (Is this guy talking about AP’s authors here?)

There seems to be a golden glow of optimism and joy around you wherever you go. (Kinda like the AP web and blog background colours) There seems to be a golden glow of optimism and joy around you wherever you go. You are witty and playful, and your idealistic nature irresistibly draws the little child out of everyone you meet. Ever creative and interesting to talk to, you are never long without people to cluster around your radiance. You enjoy dressing up and are very creative with accessories. You’ve got a style all your own, even if you don’t follow fashion. (Well, what is writing if it’s not all these things indifferent degrees?)

The Expression number shows us who we truly are… This is where we feel most comfortable and how we automatically act. We attract people and situations to us that require our Expression so that they can further evolve. In this way we play the role of teacher. Naturally we are attracted to occupations that we resonate to, so the Expression number can be a strong factor in our choice of a career as well. Our Expression is the vehicle, with all its virtues and vices that drives us along the path of our Destiny. It is the essence of our identity.

Yours is the path of the mind. Silence and solitude are your doorways into the deep recesses of the mind and the universe. You are the philosopher, the analyst, the seeker and if you’d be willing, the teacher. The time and energy that you spend discovering the microscopic core of things has gifted you with the ability to tap into psychic energy. It is with this energy that you can separate the true from the false. (Sound familiar? LOL)

As with everything if you look hard enough you’ll always find something to back up your argument, but it still amazes me that if you convert a bunch of letters constructed into a name, add a twist of numbers, you come up with a lot of information that is close enough to the aims and ambitions of those who created and work for and with Atsraea Press today that will make you stop and think, when Stephanie Taylor named her new publishing business the combination of letters and numerals ensured its prolific success – as well as the authors who’ve all become part of the Astraea Press family, of course!

Happy First Birthday, Astraea Press. May your success continue to grow so you enjoy many more birthdays to come.

His Chosen Bride

Blurb:

Prince Henri Gasquet is happy to let his father, the king, choose his bride for him until he meets Monica Latimer.

Monica Latimer is not prepared to risk letting any man close enough to learn about her Gift. A gift that normally has men running for the hills when they find out about it.

Excerpt:

She lost track of time until the flames caught her attention once more. They flickered from orange to gold, to silver, to white.

A flurry of snowflakes masked the flames and for a second Monica watched the most beautiful, pristine snow-scene she’d ever seen. Her lips curved in longing. How she’d love to get a toboggan and slide down that slope. She knew where it was, and had done just that many times in her childhood, first with her parents and then, in clandestine manner, with her brother. Sneaking an old tin tray from the back of her mother’s walk-in pantry, she’d then grabbed Billy’s hand and they’d rushed out the back gate, heading for the lakeside track that led up into the hills.

Darkness, dense and thick with grief dropped over the scene. Startled and disconcerted by the strength of emotion emanating from the vision Monica shifted to her knees, ready to stand, when a voice, a deep male voice, sharp with fear called out her name.
“Monica!”

She knew she’d never heard the voice before, and yet—it was as familiar to her as the image she saw in her mirror each morning.

“Help me, Monica.”

Desperate for more clues, she searched the darkness within the flames until it sputtered and faded. With a curse she jumped up and ran for the phone. With her outstretched hand hovering over it she halted and let her hand drop to her side once more. What could she say? What would the police or rescue team think of her if she called them and told them she’d seen a vision of a man in distress?

They’d laugh in her face and classify her as a lunatic. Well, maybe not. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d contacted them with positive information but something—an instinctive gut reaction told her what she’d seen this time hadn’t happened yet.